thedrifter
05-15-06, 07:18 PM
Marine remembered for passion
Associated Press
FORT WAYNE, Ind. — A Marine who died when his tank rolled off a bridge and into an Iraqi canal is being remembered for his infectious smile and his love for the Marine Corps.
David GramesSanchez was 15 years old when he first decided he wanted to join the Marines, family members said. The 22-year died Friday during his second tour of duty in Iraq.
“He has been a Marine his whole life,” said David Grames, GramesSanchez’s father. “He wanted to be a Marine; he always wanted to be a Marine.”
On Monday, the Defense Department confirmed the death of GramesSanchez and three other Marines who were based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The four drowned when their tank rolled into the canal near Karmah, 50 miles west of Baghdad in Anbar province, the military said. A military statement said the accident was not caused by hostile fire.
Grames works in a hardware warehouse, which handed out red, white and blue ribbons to employees on Monday.
“We’ll collect money to send care packages to the rest of the unit,” said Nancy Harris, the company’s human resources manager.
GramesSanchez, a high school wrestler, was the second member of his high school’s graduating class to die in Iraq.
His death came six months after a roadside bomb in Iraq killed Army Cpl. Jonathan Blair.
GramesSanchez is survived by his wife, mother, sister, father and young son.
A funeral is planned for Thursday.
Ellie
Associated Press
FORT WAYNE, Ind. — A Marine who died when his tank rolled off a bridge and into an Iraqi canal is being remembered for his infectious smile and his love for the Marine Corps.
David GramesSanchez was 15 years old when he first decided he wanted to join the Marines, family members said. The 22-year died Friday during his second tour of duty in Iraq.
“He has been a Marine his whole life,” said David Grames, GramesSanchez’s father. “He wanted to be a Marine; he always wanted to be a Marine.”
On Monday, the Defense Department confirmed the death of GramesSanchez and three other Marines who were based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The four drowned when their tank rolled into the canal near Karmah, 50 miles west of Baghdad in Anbar province, the military said. A military statement said the accident was not caused by hostile fire.
Grames works in a hardware warehouse, which handed out red, white and blue ribbons to employees on Monday.
“We’ll collect money to send care packages to the rest of the unit,” said Nancy Harris, the company’s human resources manager.
GramesSanchez, a high school wrestler, was the second member of his high school’s graduating class to die in Iraq.
His death came six months after a roadside bomb in Iraq killed Army Cpl. Jonathan Blair.
GramesSanchez is survived by his wife, mother, sister, father and young son.
A funeral is planned for Thursday.
Ellie